Funk | Soul Vinyl 154 Items

First official reissue of this Soul classic originally released in 1969 by Spark label.

Originally from 1961, here is a searing soul tinged R'n'B pleader. This reissue is backed with the original flip, which also is a nice mover.

Fame collectors know how rare this 45 is to find in the wild; it hardly ever happens. ‘Go Away With Me’ is a fabulously, catchy dance number from 1963 when the little-known Dixon wandered into the Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals and laid these track down. It is one of Dan Penn’s very early compositions and the nascent talent of the writer is in evidence here. The tuneful self-penned ‘Time Will Tell’ flip reveals another accomplished musical bent to the singer who, though he only cut two 45s, was revered as a major Muscle Shoals influence by the likes of Jimmy Johnson, Donnie Fritts and David Hood.

Darrow Fletcher’s belated success in Europe - from the 70s onwards, but particularly in this century - has been very rewarding from him; he has been thrilled by the interest and admiration for his past work. These are two of his revered Jacklyn label sides; Jacklyn being owned by his father, who named the imprint after Darrow’s sister. This Repro coupling will be welcomed by collectors who cannot afford the high price of the originals – many of which are often found in poor condition as they were played the hell out of in 1960s Chicago. track listing

A. Infatuation – Darrow Fletcher B. What Have I GOT NOW – Darrow Fletcher

Here are two great cuts, previously unreleased as singles, recorded for Al Sears’ Sylvia label in New York City in 1965. The Corvairs had one very good release on the label in a soul group harmony style. ‘I'll Never Do It Again’ and ‘A Feeling Deep Inside’ are more R&B and sound earlier than the 45 release. Both tracks have picked up admirers from their New Breed and Modernist CD releases and their release as a Sylvia repro label single will be very welcome.

This slice of Louisiana deep Southern soul has taken on a life of its own since Dave Godin included it on his first “Deep Soul Treasures” CD, and the single has shot up to well over three figures in value.

In 2021 the song is the subject of a cover version by the-name-to-drop Lady Blackbird and we felt it was about time that it was reissued in its original format.

Record Store Day 2020 Release. Finally, after 53 years, “I Caught You In A Lie” is now rightly regarded as one the Great New Orleans Soul classics. Whilst many people may only know the various cover versions, Robert Parker’s original sublime slice of heartfelt Soul has steadily built in reputation, especially recently. That’s why original Nola copies are £150+, even for battered ones! So here is the official legitimate, remastered repress on the sacred Nola label. 7 Inch with replica artwork.

A scorcher from the golden age of gospel, via its cardinal label.
From 1960, during the family’s second decade with Savoy, featuring Gertrude Ward, Christine Jackson, Mildred Means and Vermettya Royster — and Clara, totally riveting and in-your-face with evangelistic fervour and raw soul.

Plus a rambunctious, floor-filling Wade In The Water, by Jessy Dixon and his Singers.

Handsomely sleeved (showing a contemporary but slightly different Wards lineup).

American Rhythm 'n' Blues singer Nathaniel Mayer (1944-2008) is mostly remembered for his raw vocal timbre and for his particularly wild live act. Originally released in 1963 on Detroit based label Fortune Records, "Going Back To The Village Of Love" still sounds like an incredibly explosive hyper-energetic irreverent piece of pure Detroit sound.

Star Trek to soulstress - Lieutenant Uhura aka Nichelle Nichols was a groundbreaking actor, singer and trailblazer and these two standout tracks sound as sweet as they did over 50 years ago.
A valuable collectable must for Soul, Northern fans & well as any true Trekkie...original copies are changing hands for £250+.
Remastered and reissued on 7 inch with large / dinked centre hole in Epic generic paper sleeve.

Southside sweethearts, the Dreamliners, first came into the scene as the Royaltones in 1961 when they were students at South San High School in San Antonio, TX. In 1963, label head Abie Epstein signed them to his Cobra & Jox labels producing 4 singles. On the way to a studio session, Ana (Ana) Wilburn coined "The Best Things in Life" on the dashboard of her car. Out popped a playful Farfisa and harmony-driven tune reminiscent of the Crystals or Ronettes. Ana also wrote and sang lead on the haunting ballad "Just Me & You." A song about longing and adolescent heartache that's perfect for any post-breakup kleenex session.

Reissued and remastered with replica artwork - the highly sort after classic rare groove track, 'Iron Leg' by DJ Shadow's favourite Funk band, Mickey & The Soul Generation.

Original copies trade hands for £125+. Black 7" dinked centre hole vinyl.

Following on from the incredible success of 2020's "Teasin' You Again", we're proud to follow that up with one of Willie Tee's greatest double-siders and one of his very rarest 45s. Welcome to the incredible "First Taste Of Hurt" backed with "I'm Having So Much Fun".

This record was first discovered in Los Angeles in 1976 primarily for "I'm Having So Much Fun" which drew interest from the Northern Soul crowd, but then "First Taste Of Hurt" started catching on in wider circles. These days "First Taste Of Hurt" is the key side with a truly international audience across several scenes. An original Gatur copy of this will set you back £5000 and even the UK Grapevine reissue will cost you the best part of £100 these days. Expect another across-the-board Willie Tee smash which will match perfectly with "Teasin' You Again" and sell to many audiences.

/ Bar Kays 'soul finger'

Originally released on Sue Records in 1963 this was Ike & Tina Turner fourth album, the one that earned them a first grammy nomination and a further step in the consolidation of their international success. Most of the tunes here are highly energetic up-tempo numbers while the whole album comes as the fruit of a unique combination of raw R&B and highly energetic Rock n Roll.

Deep/Mod Funk heavy hitter previously comped on Le Beat Bespoke and a deep Jamaican Soul cut increasingly in-demand among progressive Northern/Rare Soul deejays.

Limited Edition for Record Store Day 2019! Often quoted as being one of the greatest Soul records of all-time, “Open The Door To Your Heart” was Darrell Bank’s first release and biggest hit. A one-off UK issue copy on London Records recently sold for a huge £14,543 in 2014 and is testament to the quality of the song and recording. Here, for the first time ever, is the previously unissued instrumental version by the Funk Brothers - the Solid Hitbound musicians including Rudy Robinson, Uriel Jones, Eddie Willis, Bob Babbit and Dennis Coffey. This work of art will be reissued on the original Revilot label.

First official reissue of this essential and insanely rare Willie Tee double sider. New Orleans gold from the Nola vaults, the A side ‘Please Don’t Go’ is a certified Northern Soul classic with the flip a fantastic smokey, low slung soulful number that’s become a real collector’s favourite. With original copies having traded hands for £1800 in the past, it’s high time this was made available to a new generation of listeners. Red label version original black sleeve.

Born in rural Mississippi and associated with Memphis, versatile entertainer Rufus Thomas is a legendary figure, having been a tap-dancer, comedian, and DJ before recording for Satellite in 1961—the label that soon became Stax. Thomas’ improvised hit, ‘The Dog,’ led to immortal follow-up, ‘Walking The Dog,’ so massively popular that it became the centerpiece of his debut LP, an irresistible blend of funk and soul with lashings of Thomas’ trademark humour. Whether with originals or standards like ‘Ya Ya’ and ‘Land Of 1,000 Dances,’ Thomas keeps the action tight and in addition to both ‘Dog’ hits, there is further installment, ‘Can Your Monkey Do The Dog,’ co-penned with Stax’s Steve Cropper. A killer set!

Exclusive Version Of The Mega Northern Soul Classic With None Other Than The One And Only Mrs. Holloway Providing The Soulfulful Vox

Johnnie Mae Mathews is fondly referred to as being 'The Godmother Of Detroit Soul' as she was responsible for creating at least 8 different Detroit record labels and for discovering and nurturing many future Motown artists in their early years. In fact she was a major source of inspiration for the young Berry Gordy, founder of Motown. We are delighted to finally be releasing what many people consider to be the pinnacle of independent Detroit Soul music, the impeccable and gut-wrenching 'I Have No Choice', the defining record of Johnnie Mae Mathews many recordings with the equally impressive 'That’s When It Hurts' on the flip. 'I Have No Choice' is a record that has finally hit the heights it always deserved after being a cult record for almost 50 years and is now commanding a staggering £1200-1500 for a decent original copy for those lucky enough to be in that league. This will be a historic RSD release with comprehensive notes and photos from Johnnie Mae Mathews expert Richard Gilbert. If you’re a Soul music fan, then this record is indispensable. Full picture sleeve featuring Johnny herself in full swing, with liner notes, and fully remastered, heavyweight vinyl 45.

The Egyptians - Thanks Yo You

Texan rhythm and blues icon Barbara Lynn made an incredible impact in 1962 with the chart-topping debut single, ‘You’ll Lose A Good Thing,’ which has since been covered by Aretha Franklin, Freddy Fender, and countless others. A southpaw guitarist who wrote her own material, debut LP You’ll Lose A Good Thing captured our heroine at her best, the soulful smoky voice a striking contrast to the blues base of her backing musicians (including Dr John on keyboards). Containing the follow-up hits ‘Second Fiddle Girl’ and ‘Letter To Mommy And Daddy’ as well as the cherished title track, it’s a winner from start to finish.

Most listeners only became aware of Billy Preston as a solo artist after he signed to Apple Records in the late 1960s. But he'd been recording for a long time prior to that, dating back to when he was a teenager. This instrumental album for Sam Cooke's SAR label (issued on its sister Derby imprint) was cut in March 1963, when Preston was still going to high school in Los Angeles. The very fact that it's wholly instrumental indicates that it's pretty early in Preston's evolution, and though he does play some piano, it's really on the more uptempo, organ-dominated tunes where he hits the best groove. In truth, these aren't any great shakes even when it comes to soul organ instrumentals, but they have a nice swinging bounce that places them a cut above period background music, though they fall a good ways short of being spellbinding. The slower numbers (including covers of hits by Sam Cooke and Ray Charles) verge on easy listening; in contrast, the more urgent cuts are cookin', with bop, jazz, and gospel influences spicing up the soul/R&B recipe. (allmusic)

Renaldo Domino blasted onto the fertile Chicago soul scene of the late 60's with a voice as sweet as sugar and deep grooves that sound just as fresh five decades later. Releasing singles on Mercury subsidiaries Smash and Blue Rock, and later Twinight records, Renaldo’s all-too-brief career has still managed to leave an impact to all those lucky enough to hear it.

Domino's Renaldo first record: I Love My Girl & I'm Hip To Your Game, came out in 1967 on the impossible to find Arnell records. I'm Hip To Your Game was later released on Smash in 1969

Renaldo returned to the spotlight in 2007 when the Chicago reissue powerhouse Numero Group put him on the cover of their deluxe box set Eccentric Soul: Twinight's Lunar Rotation (which included other greats Syl Johnson, The Notations, and many more). Renaldo’s performing career began to flourish once again with shows around country. In early 2019 Renaldo teamed up with producer Jeremy Kay and arranger JB Flatt and set out to record new tracks that would live up to Renaldo’s great early records. Assembling a crack team of Brooklyn’s best they pulled out all the stops, creating a mix between the lush arrangements of Chicago’s early soul style and the hard-hitting beat of current Brooklyn soul. The new single “No Laggin’ & Draggin’” / “Give Up The Love”, released Feb 2020, is now available on Colemine Records. Backed by The Heavy Sounds, Renaldo’s live performances continue to deliver with passion and precision, making new fans young and old.

This is an excellent 1964 soul-jazz album, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder.

180 gram vinyl

All killers and no fillers on this fabulous 1969 Motown masperpiece. It is a shame that Jimmy lived in the shadow of those other Motown singers such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. It really is one of Motown's best albums!

A crown jewel of the US American soul music of the 1960s. The earthy production and vivid feeling makes this album way more tangible for fans of the genre than most polished and slick major productions. A true gem for all collectors of underground soul from the USA.

1965 funky Instro-Soul album from Chicago that originally came out on Mercury. It deals with new interpretations of James Bond themes and own Bond inspired compositions. Feat. Studiomusic Clarence Perry (tenor), Richard McCrea (organ) and Ed Townsend (Piano).

180 Gram Vinyl!

heavily sampled classic funk album!!

- "In the Middle" sampled by Chubb Rock for "Organizer"

- "The Chicken" sampled by 2 Live Crew for "I Ain't Bullshitin'",
Big Daddy Kane for "Calling Mr. Welfare",
CEO for "Hit Me with the Beat" and
Main Source for "Think"

- "Why Am I Treated So Bad" sampled by The Associates for "From the Ground Up"

- "Soul Pride" sampled by Digable Planets for "9th Wonder (Blackitolism)",
Mad Flava for "Gotz ta Flow ta This",
Mr. X & Mr.Y for "1956",
Peshay for "Psychosis" & "Vocal Tune" and
Roni Size for "Hot Stuff"

Family vocal group the Esquires was formed in Milwaukee in the late 1950s; by the time they moved to Chicago to launch their recording career the group featured Gilbert Moorer, Alvis Moorer, and Sam Pace and although Curtis Mayfield turned them down, Bunky Sheppard recognised their potential, their debut single ‘Get On Up’ a smash hit that led to the recording of this brilliant debut album, an excellent collection of upbeat melodic soul with the group’s vocal harmonies in the spotlight. Further permutations would follow but Get On Up And Get Away captures the group in its illustrious eginning, full of shining joy. A top-notch release!

Billy Preston’s mastery of the organ was such that he was commissioned for collaboration by The Beatles, The Stones and countless others, his classic Hammond work a defining element of ‘Get Back.’ Released in 1964 when Preston was still 19, The Most Exciting Organ Ever mixes swinging originals such as ‘Low Down,’ ‘Soul Meetin,’ ‘The Octopus’ and ‘Billy’s Bag’ with expressively soulful covers of standards such as ‘If I Had A Hammer’ and ‘Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying,’ ably showcasing Preston’s awesome dexterity and unmatched ability on his chosen instrument. With every track a winner, the title rings true!

Formed in 1964 in Watts, California, U.S. and based in Los Angeles, the original members were the texan twin brothers Wallace Scott and Walter Scott plus Gordy Harmon, Marcus Hutson and Nicholas Caldwell. In 1973 Gordy Harmon injured his larynx in a driving accident and was replaced by Leaveil Degree. Planets Of Life was the result of the incoming change, a vocal soul-funk masterpiece from a renewed harmony group. Often compared to the Isley Brothers, due to Scotty Scott vocal similarities to Ronald Isley, the band was an excellent r&b combo, turning lately into an electric funk vibe with a clear Temptations twist.

180 gram vinyl!

The soundtrack to this 1969 German sexual comedy was produced by Improved Sound Limited, showcasing their killer blend of experimental pop, blues, rock, jazz, funk and easy listening, augmented with tape effects, phasing, distorted guitar... Groovy songs influenced by 60's beat and psychedelia.

Newly mastered sound by Jörg Scheuerman. Comes complete with an insert with photos and liner notes. Limited to 500 copies only.

Yet another collaboration between Sandro Brugnolini and Stefano Torossi, who also worked together on the masterpiece “Feelings”. “Musica per commenti sonori” consists of twelve amazing tracks that will excite lovers of the wildest funk, producers in search of rare breaks, and those with a penchant for the psycho-beat atmospheres of the sixties. One of the rarest library music releases ever, that’s never been re-released in any form until now!

“Musica per commenti sonori” is a cult series within the diverse world of Italian library music. In the late sixties and seventies, the small record label Costanza Records has published several releases precisely focusing on ‘background music’, including works of great composers such as Peppino De Luca, Roberto Pregadio, Franco Micalizzi, Vito Thomas, Giancarlo Thomas Puccio Roelens, Riccardo Luciani, and by the protagonists of this long-time due reissue: Sandro Brugnolini and Stefano Torossi.

The two musicians, who had also worked together on the masterpiece “Feelings” (1974), have often collaborated and delivered some of the best Italian library music of all time. “Musica per commenti sonori” is certainly one of the most interesting. On the two equally split sides of this LP, the first for Torossi and the second for Brugnolini (but it seems that this partition was exclusively dictated by legal demands), there are twelve amazing tracks that will excite lovers of the wildest funk, producers in search of rare breaks, and those with a penchant for the psycho-beat atmospheres of the sixties.

Among the most heated tracks featured on Torossi’s side, we can’t pass over the amazing “Sweet-Beat”, “Interrupted” (perhaps the best track of the album) and “Repetition” while “Polyphony”, “Motuproprio” and the closing track “Flyer” shine on Brugnolini’s. Virtually impossible to find, even at astonishing prices, this reissue puts back into the market one of the best examples of ‘The Italian Art of Library Music’: a genre worldwide envied and collected.

First Lady of Song Ella Fitzgerald overcame the challenges of a tumultuous youth through music, her performances with the Chick Webb Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom and distinctive scat singing leading to early recordings and the 1938 breakthrough, ‘A Tisket A Tasket.’ After recording bebop LPs for Decca, manager Norman Granz launched the Verve label to allow her to broaden her musical horizons, exploring the Great American Songbook. Released in 1960, Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas sees her tackle Christmas classics as only Ella can, the lavish orchestration overseen by noted conductor Frank de Vol.

Deliberately presented as a dance music release, this brilliant Quincy Jones album - first released on Mercury label in 1961 - comprises material from two marvelous big band performances recorded the year before in Paris and New York. Here the great composer and arranger leads a first class "dance organization", a top-flight big band featuring the cream of NY Jazz musicians, among them: Clark Terry and Freddie Hubbard - trumpets, Curtis Fuller and Melba Liston - trombones, Phil Woods, Oliver Nelson and Sahib Shihab - saxes, Stu Martin - drums. An exquisite platter of highly swinging and danceable grooves signed by the genius of Quincy Jones

The Soul Album is the fourth studio album by American soul singer-songwriter Otis Redding, released in 1966. It features Redding performing songs that he co-wrote, as well as covers of songs by such musicians as Sam Cooke, Eddie Floyd, Roy Head, and Smokey Robinson. Guitarist Steve Cropper contributed guitar on the album and is also credited as the co-author of three tracks. The Soul Album shows Otis Redding moving from strength to strength in a string of high-energy, sweaty soul performances, interspersing his own songs with work by Sam Cooke ("Chain Gang"), Roy Head ("Treat Her Right"), Eddie Floyd ("Everybody Makes a Mistake"), and Smokey Robinson ("It's Growing") and recasting them in his own style, so that they're not "covers" so much as reinterpretations.

UpTight is a soundtrack album by Southern soul band Booker T. & the M.G.'s for the film of the same title. The album features "Time Is Tight", the single version of which became a US Top 10 hit and a signature song for the band.

Leon Thomas’ debut as a leader was this classic of spiritual jazz recorded for Bob Thiel’s Flying Dutchman label. Originally pressed in 1969, it features an all-star band including Pharoah Sanders (under the name Little Rock), Lonnie Liston Smith (piano), James Spaulding (alto sax), Cecil McBee (bass), Roy Haynes (drums) and Richard Landrum (bongos).

“Spirits Known And Unknown” features versions of ‘The Creator Has A Master Plan (Peace)’, the classic ‘Song For My Father’, ‘One’, ‘Echoes’ and the topical ‘Damn Nam (Ain’t Goin’ To Vietnam)’. Subtitled New Vocal Frontiers upon release, the rear sleeve noted that “Thomas is searching as far into himself as he can go for spirits known and unknown and is creating new dimensions of vocal expressiveness to bring these spirits – these feelings – into the experience of others.” The fact that this album is hailed as a classic shows that he succeeded.

Pressed on 180gm vinyl we have remained faithful to the original pressing replicating the Flying Dutchman label style and gatefold-sleeve.

Breezy Sunshine-Pop / Soft-Rock / Psych-Pop from California, 1970, featuring Peter Clark a.k.a Chet DeMilo.

Crystal clear recording, awesome vocal harmonies, superb musicianship, bossa & blue-eyed-soul-jazz touches,folk-rock moves…

In 1969 Chet Demilo was appearing at Donkin's Inn, Marina Del Rey, where he met Arnie Marcus and Ray Hames, who together were to become part of an incredible slice of history. Donkin's became the hottest and most famous destination in Southern California for the next seven years, and Chet was the magnet that started the new singles scene in Los Angeles with Marina Del Rey as ground zero.

Arnie sat in on bongos with Chet from time to time, and Ray, who was managing an apartment complex that housed 200 flight attendants, just happened to have a unit available!! Chet moved in, and he and Ray started working on songs together. Chet suggested forming a vocal group with Arnie and SST was born. For three months they practiced the intricate vocal harmonies and in early 1970 cut the album, "Soft Soul Transition". A thousand records were pressed, and an album release party was held at Donkins where SST gave their one and only performance that night!

There was interest in the project at Burt Bacharach's Blue Seas Music, but it was not to be and SST faded away...until more than 20 years later when the SST album was discovered by a new generation of DJs and collectors looking for cool and groovy sounds from the 60s-70s.

colored vinyl

A monumental force firmly rooted in the soul canon, Willie Hutch is most notable for recording two of the best Blaxploitation soundtracks, The Mack and Foxy Brown. Yet his legacy is much greater. Outside of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, Hutch was arguably Motown's top male solo artist of the 70s. Prior to his association with Gordy et al, Hutch crafted his opening statements for RCA, two vital LPs that Be With Records is honoured to present today. His debut, Soul Portrait (1969), is an incredible slice of gritty, Southern-fried soul. Think Stax with a touch of Detroit sparkle. As a whole, the album demonstrates the self-contained act Hutch was; he wrote every tune on the album while also arranging and conducting for it. It features 11 timeless grooves, with a blend of beat ballads and undeniable dancers.